My values are authenticity, honesty, and kindness, and I am committed to running an ethical studio.
What does that mean?
In simple terms it means creating art and doing business in the most ethical and sustainable way I know how, ensuring what I do always aligns with my values.
Ethics
You will often see me sign off with the words “Be kind to all kinds” and usually it’s a nod to treating animals with kindness, but in a broader context I also mean be kind to yourself, other people, animals, the environment.
Kind to you
I want to do the right thing by the people in my community, by being authentic, honest and kind.
When you purchase my artwork, I want it to last, so all the art supplies I use, and printing processes are professional-grade and archival.
I respect your privacy and the information you provide me, and I will offer open and kind communication.
Kind to animals
I have been vegan for almost 13 years, and only use vegan art supplies that do not contain animal ingredients or are tested on animals. Some of the ingredients in traditional art supplies are truly disgusting and I will write a lot more on this topic on my blog. With so many cruelty-free art supplies available, that often out-perform the rest, there’s really no excuse for using animal-based supplies other than outdated traditionalism. The more artists (and collectors for that matter) demand cruelty-free art supplies, the more quickly suppliers will need to phase out products that aren’t kind to our animal friends.
Kind to the environment
My paintings and print reproductions are on Hahnëmuhle 100% cotton paper, which is vegan (always has been, for over 450 years!), and just as importantly, produced by a company that is committed to sustainability. Check out Hahnëmuhle’s sustainability information HERE. I also paint on Fabriano Artistico 100% cotton paper, which is also vegan, their sustainability information can be found HERE.
Any other paper products such as greeting cards, business cards and packaging are either recycled or FSC certified. Printing is done with vegetable-based inks.
I do not use any plastic packaging, and don’t use any suppliers who do.
I source fabrics from op shops as much as possible, and not one single scrap is wasted. I make patchwork items out of small pieces, and the smallest scraps are shredded with leftover thread then used to fill pincushions.
Kind to myself
Sustainability is also about caring for myself so I can continue creating into the future. I pay myself reasonably for my work, and am protective of my time, energy and mental health. I ensure that I don’t compromise on my values, and will be honest, authentic and kind. I eat well, exercise and rest. If I’m healthy and happy, my art practice and business will be sustainable into the future.
Nobody is perfect, but if we are all conscious and mindful of the impact of our actions, and take responsibility, it will drive change on a larger scale.